held up and behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong and no impression
headway over 6f out, saddled slipped from 4f out, hampered well over 2f out, soon eased and lost place
held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, not clear run on inside over 3f out, no danger after
held up, smooth headway over 3f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on
chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no progress
led, headed over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard and prominent, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off
A moderate affair in which Merdiff, Kareeb and Keon are the three for consideration and we side with Keon. The selection appears to save his best for this track and while the form of banded stakes races has to be treated with a degree of caution, there is every reason to believe that he is capable of reproducing that run here. Merdiff has been on a losing run for some time but is not devoid of ability. A try at selling level did not help but the market is watched. Kareeb has the services of Tony Culhane, although the rider will need to be at his most persuasive as the gelding does not find too much in the finish. Harare has proved to be a reluctant hero in the past but has obvious claims in a modest race. King After may need this run after a brief absence. Fulvio has won races around here in banded stakes but has not been at his best of late. Not too much strength in depth and having considered the alternatives, Keon is awarded the most tentative of votes.
Kareeb (FR) 13-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out to over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Scutch Mill (9-1) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol.
Keon (IRE) 6-1 (8-1) Mid-division, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 14l behind Elusive Warrior (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
You're My Son 33-1 (9-2) Raced keenly towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 10l behind Eccollo (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
King After 10-1 (9-4) Behind, soon switched left, headway and hung left over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous, 12th of 17, 5l behind Muscari (9-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sept.
Merdiff 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Topiary Ted (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Harare 12-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, keen, mid-division, hung left over 3f out, soon bumped, one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 6l behind Spark Up (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Fulvio (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Bessemer (9-6) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Tip Top Style 100-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 30l behind Mobaasher (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs in Sept.
Danielle's Lad 11-2 (8-12) Soon led, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 9l behind Binnion Bay (8-9) at Kempton 7f banded stk (7) pol.
Jabraan (USA) 40-1 (9-1) Led 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Keon (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Resonance 66-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, some headway over 4f out, soon struggling, 11th of 13, 24l behind Spinning Coin (10-0) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sept.
Start of Authority 7-2 (9-3) Hampered and lost place 7f out, soon behind, last of 12, 17l behind Keon (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
